A Beautiful Journey of Us

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Tuesday, 11 August 2015

The first thing we did before we fly here was plan our days and places to visit. As the cost of this journey was quite expensive to ordinary people like us, we listed all important places to visit within reach (by tubes,of course) and the most important thing, to ensure Iman has the most memories here as this is his first time as compared to Irfan.

Since we are here during Irfan's 3rd birthday, so we planned to bring him to his most favourite shop - M&M World London. So the journey begin. We left early in the morning right after peak time (where people rushed to the office).

1. Buckingham Palace and Royal Horse Guard

This is a must visit place whenever any of us reach London. From Hounslow Central Station, we head to the Hyde Park Corner Station. The weather was really good so we walked down the pedestrian lane to the palace.

Here come the Royal Horse Guards. They marched along the Constitution Hill. The kids were so excited watching the horses marched. The Guard Changing ceremony happens every day in July (when we were there) at 11.30am. We recommend visitors to arrive by 11.15am as the guards and music will start playing at this time. However they still have some provisional dates every month. Schedule can be referred here.

Us at the Green Park

2. The M&M World London

After the ceremony ended, we rushed to Irfan's favourite shop. The M&M World London. We took Piccadilly line at Green Park Station and stopped at Leicester Square Station. This character shop is about 5 minutes walking distance from the station.

Come on Papa! -Irfan

Look at that birthday boy's expression

It was very lucky of us to fulfill Irfan's birthday wish this time. He has been asking about this M&M Shop every day and night. Iman was too small to understand all of this but yet, we will keep this as part of his memory.

3. Covent Garden

After doing a little shop in M&M World, we then head to the Covent Garden while searching for some lunch packs.

Covent Garden is famous with its iconic and historical market place where here located many of famous designer brand shops as well as street performance and artists selling off their drawings and handicrafts.

4. The Horse Guard Parade

Each of us has listed at least one place we wished to visit when we are here. Irfan did his. So do I and Mr Hubby. He really wanted to visit the Horse Guard Parade since the past 2 years but we have never had chance to do that.

Eventhough it is raining that afternoon, we still chase for the tubes and went here. This Horse Guard Parade is a parade ground near Whitehall used for royal parades and ceremonies.

Yes Sir! - Irfan

Finally, his dream has come true!

We spend an hour here and when the sun is back, we head to north Paddington, searching for the London's Little Venice.

5. The Little Venice

It is very hot and sunny on that day yet we still rush to our last place planned for the day. The Little Venice. It is located north of Paddington where the Grand Union and Regent's Canals meet. There lies waterside cafes, eateries and pubs. I was very excited as I have been eyeing this place for quite sometime and finally I managed to step my foot down here.

And that's a peace from my sleepy boy

Our second day on this trip was really tiring. But we managed to follow all as planned. Thank you to my three men for making this long day a wonderful one. Till we meet again on the next post for more ideas of places to visit in London!

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Having my graduation ceremony coming in London during Summer 2015 makes us plan earlier as the budget will be slightly tight. Our Ringgit were dropping at that time and four of us are going at the same time (me, hubby, Irfan and Iman). So here we go. I am sharing here how we plan our budgeting trip this time.1. Flights - EmiratesWe flew with Emirates for the first time as usually we took different airlines. A few months before flying, I compared a few airlines based on COST, TRAVEL TIME especially TRANSIT/ CONNECTION TIME. After searching through Brunei Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Vietnam Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch, I finally decided to pick Emirates.

I decided on our seating arrangement and meal option for kids, infant and ourselves through online. There are quite a list of meal choices including vegetarian. The most important thing is that they served halal meals. 24 hours prior to departure, I checked in online and that has made my life much easier where we only need to be there 90 minutes before the flight, just to deposit our baggage.

Bye bye KLIA!

Emirates interior. We are ready for take off!

We requested bassinet for Iman, eventhough I know he is slightly tall for bassinet. Irfan watched movies and play games through out the journey. He slept too when he is too tired.

Irfan and his child meal

Collective gifts from our 4 flights with Emirates

2. Travelodge Hounslow HotelWe picked budget hotel and is way out from London city. But this hotel is 2 tube stations away from Heathrow airport where I think is good. I prefer to travel shorter distance to airport as we have big luggage and Iman's pram to push along. However, the cons was this hotel is about 50 minutes away from London city by underground tube and I don't mind at all as we are used to travel by tubes before.

Hounslow Travelodge

Hounslow Central Station is 3 minutes walking distance from the hotel

The room was really good for our short stay

Another good points about this hotel is: its location near to a few halal restaurants and treaty shopping centre as well as a few of my favourite shops too (Primark, Clarks, H&M, Next and Mothercare).

High Street Market

One of the shop in Treaty Centre

Clarks! I am a happy mommy :)

High Street Shops

3. Underground TravelcardThe cheapest way to travel in London is to travel by underground tubes and overground busses. We bought travel card as we don't plan to rent a car at all. Plus with Oyster travel card, we have unlimited travel access for busses and the tubes depending on the package we selected.

Oyster card

Oyster Visitor Card

However, I highly recommend to visit TFL website before deciding which card fits us best. Till we meet again in the next post on places to travel in London.

About Me

A mad scientist, a wife and mother. Deep passion in human genetics and DNA. Sharing life and travelling experiences, opinions on appreciating life and humanity. A Shaklee consumer and Independent Distributor.
Email : amalina.farah@gmail.com